State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, formally filed petitions Monday for election to a full, four-year term in the Ohio Senate.
Gavarone’s candidacy for the 2020 election follows her appointment by the Senate in February, filling the vacancy created by former State Sen. Randy Gardner, who became chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents.
She currently serves as vice chair of the Senate’s Committee on Higher Education as well as holding seats on the Senate’s Education Committee; Government Oversight and Reform Committee; Health, Human Services & Medicaid Committee; and Judiciary Committee.
“I’m honored to represent our communities in the Senate, where I’m working every day to make our state a leader in job growth, quality schools and safe, drug-free neighborhoods,” said Gavarone. “I think we have a lot to be proud of, but I also know we have a lot of work still to do. I want to make college more attainable and affordable, and I’m leading the effort to improve access to community addiction and mental health care for people who are struggling. Those are just some of the priorities, and in the days ahead I look forward to meeting with voters and hearing from them directly about the issues that matter to them.”
The district includes Erie, Ottawa, Wood and parts of Fulton and Lucas counties. As a resident of Wood County for more than three decades, Gavarone has experience representing the community, having served in several committee leadership positions as a member of the Bowling Green City Council.
Gavarone holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University and a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. In addition to her public service, she is an attorney and the co-owner of Mr. Spots restaurant, along with her husband, Jim. They have three children and reside in Bowling Green where they attend St. Aloysius Catholic Church.
